Introduction
Many think that Muslims are anti-Christ. Though this claim is widespread, it is deeply mistaken. It usually arises from misunderstanding the teachings of Islam. A unbiased reading of Islamic scriptures reveals a profound respect and reverence for Jesus (peace be upon him).
Islam honors Jesus as one of the greatest messengers of God and speaks about him with love, dignity and admiration. This article explores the Islamic position of Jesus using Quranic verses and authentic sayings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him).
Belief in Jesus Is Mandatory in Islam
Belief in Jesus in mandatory in Islam. No one can be a Muslim without believing in Jesus.
God in the Quran states:
The Messenger believes in what was revealed to him from his Lord and so do the believers. All of them believe in God, His angels, His books and His messengers. We make no distinction between any of His messengers.
Quran Chapter 2 Verse 285
Rejecting Jesus will take a person out of Islam. Muslims are required to believe in Jesus, revere him and honor him as a noble prophet of God.
Islam Affirms the Virgin Birth of Jesus
Islam explicitly teaches the virgin birth of Jesus. God narrates in the Quran:
O Mary! God gives you good news of a Word from Him. His name will be the Messiah Jesus son of Mary.
Quran Chapter 3 Verse 45
Mary wondered, How can I have a son when no man has touched me? The angel replied: This is how God creates what He wills. When He decrees a matter, He simply tells it, ‘Be!’ And it is!
Quran Chapter 3 Verses 45 to 47
So, Muslims affirm the virgin birth of Jesus without any hesitation.
Jesus Is the Messiah in Islam
God in the Quran clearly declares that Jesus is the Messiah (Christ).
His name will be the Messiah, Jesus the son of Mary.
Quran Chapter 3 Verse 45
Note: The word “Messiah” is the same term Christians translate as Christ in English.
Jesus Is a Word and Spirit From God
God in the Quran honors Jesus as a Word and a Spirit from Him.
The Messiah, Jesus son of Mary was a Messenger of God and His Word which He bestowed upon Mary and a Spirit from Him.
Quran Chapter 4 Verse 171
The Miracles of Jesus in the Quran
Islam teaches that Jesus performed extraordinary miracles by God’s permission.
Jesus proclaimed: I have come to you with a sign from your Lord. I heal the blind and the leper and give life to the dead by God’s permission.
Quran Chapter 3 Verse 49
Miracles of Jesus Mentioned in the Quran but Not in the Bible
God in the Quran also mentions miracles of Jesus that are not found in the entire Bible.
Jesus proclaimed: I will make for you a bird from clay, breathe into it, and it will become a real bird by God’s permission.
Quran Chapter 3 Verse 49
Jesus Spoke as a Newborn Infant
God in the Quran records the first miracle of Jesus was when he was just a newborn infant.
Infant Jesus said: ‘Surely, I am the servant of God. He has given me the Scripture and made me a Prophet.’
Quran Chapter 19 Verses 29 to 30
The Quran strongly defends Mary’s purity and highlights Jesus as a prophet from an early age.
In contrast, the Bible records the first miracle of Jesus was when he was an adult.
Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee the first of his signs by turning water into wine.
Bible John Chapter 2 Verses 1 to 11
Mary Is Honored Above All Women
Mary, mother of Jesus holds an unparalleled status in Islam.
God tells Mary:
And God chose you and purified you and chose you above the women of all worlds.
Quran Chapter 3 Verse 42
An entire chapter called Surah Maryam (Chapter 19 of the Quran) is named after Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Another chapter is named after Mary’s family, Surah Aal-Imran (Chapter 3 of the Quran), meaning “the family of Imran”. Imran is Mary’s grandfather.
It must be noted that, God in the Quran does not name the wives, mother, or children of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), but He gives great honor to Mary and her family.
If the Quran had been authored by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), why would he go out of his way to exalt Mary, her family, and Jesus, while completely omitting mention of his own family? Does this not show that the Quran is the word of God?
The Disciples of Jesus Are Honored
God in the Quran praises the disciples of Jesus. God presents the disciples as faithful supporters of Jesus.
When Jesus asked his disciples: ‘Who are my helpers for God?’ The disciples replied: ‘We are God’s helpers.’
Quran Chapter 61 Verse 14
In contrast, the Bible mentions that the disciples of Jesus abandoned him during a crucial time in his life.
Then all Jesus’ disciples abandoned him and they ran away.
Bible Mark Chapter 14 Verse 50
God in the Quran also mentions a unique event involving the disciples requesting a heavenly meal.
(Remember) when the disciples asked, “O Jesus, son of Mary! Would your Lord be willing to send down to us a table spread with food from heaven?”
Quran Chapter 5 Verse 112
God answered, “I am sending it down to you.”
Quran Chapter 5 Verse 115
This incident portrays divine support for the followers of Jesus. The Quranic portrayal of the disciples of Jesus is one of loyalty, divine support and honor.
Muslims Pray Like Jesus
Muslims pray in the same physical posture that Jesus used in his prayer.
Bible vividly describes the prayer of Jesus.
Going a little farther, Jesus fell with his face to the ground and prayed.
Bible Mathew Chapter 26 Verse 39
God in the Quran commands Muslims to pray by falling with their faces to the ground.
O you who believe! Bow down and prostrate (fall with your face to the ground) and worship your Lord.
Quran Chapter 22 Verse 77
Muslims Greet Like Jesus
When Jesus appeared to his disciples, he greeted them with peace. Bible states:
Jesus came and stood among them and said ‘Peace be with you’ (Shalom aleichem).
Bible Luke Chapter 24 Verse 36
The original words of greeting in Hebrew is ‘Shalom Aleichem’ meaning ‘peace be with you’. Muslims greet each other with the same phrase in Arabic “Salam alaykum” which also means ‘peace be with you’.
Jesus Is Alive and Will Return
Islam teaches that Jesus was not killed but raised alive and is alive in the heaven now. Muslims also firmly believe in the second coming of Jesus.
The Final Prophet, Muhammad (peace be on him) taught that Jesus (peace be on him) will:
- Return to Earth before Judgment Day (Bukhari # 3448)
- Descend on a white minaret in the eastern side of Damascus (Sahih Muslim # 2937)
- Wear two garments lightly dyed with saffron (Sahih Muslim # 2937)
- Kill the Antichrist (Sahih Muslim # 2937)
- Rule the earth with justice and peace (Sahih Muslim # 155)
- Abolish false doctrines and restore truth (Sahih Bukhari # 2222)
Summary of the Islamic Position
- Belief in Jesus is a fundamental article of faith for every Muslim
- Jesus was born miraculously to a virgin
- Jesus is the Messiah
- Jesus is a Word and Spirit from God
- Jesus performed miracles by God’s permission
- Jesus is alive in Heaven
- Jesus will return before Judgment Day
- Jesus will defeat the Antichrist
- Jesus will rule with justice and peace
Muslims are NOT anti-Christ
Muslims believe in Jesus, love him, respect him and await his return. Muslims do not worship Jesus because Islam calls us to worship the same God that Jesus worshiped.
God mentions in the Quran that Jesus said:
Surely, God is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him (alone). This is the Straight Path.
Quran Chapter 3 Verse 51
Bible mentions that Jesus said:
It is written in the scriptures: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’
Bible Luke Chapter 4 Verse 8
Bible also mentions that:
One of those days, Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.
Bible Luke Chapter 6 Verse 12
If one examines Islamic teachings about Jesus without bias, one will conclude that Islam does not reject him, but deeply reveres him based on scripture.
